Retaining Module

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a containment module applicable as an auxiliary containment element for the execution and maintenance of cuts, fills, walls, etc., and more generally for the construction of several types of civil works; the module is essentially L-shaped having a long section and a short section substantially forming a right angle, the connection between them being reinforced by means of a bevel, and where the base of the long section is rough for increasing the friction with the soil.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a retaining module which can be applied as an auxiliary retention and fixation element for the execution and maintenance of cuts, fills, walls, etc., and more generally speaking for the construction of several types of civil works. The field of the invention is therefore the industry dedicated to manufacturing prefabricated concrete modules for construction.

PRIOR ART

A plurality of prefabricated pieces mainly thought for building walls are known. A first technique known as Reinforced Earth comprises the use of concrete slabs arranged vertically for making a wall retaining the soil. The pushing action exerted by the soil on the slabs is supported by the traction generated by horizontal strips of a certain length which are anchored to the same, thanks to the friction between these and the soil surrounding them.

Also, walls formed by elongated reinforced concrete pieces, with or without buttresses, which are arranged vertically and strengthened by concreting “in situ” the foundations and, if necessary, part of the buttress, are known.

All currently existing pieces counteract only horizontal forces, requiring also a subsequent concreting or else the use of strips, depending on the case, as a necessary complement for achieving such object. The retaining module of the invention, however, functions by balancing both horizontal and vertical forces at the same time, for obtaining a complete fixation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The retaining module of the present invention solves the aforementioned problems since, on one hand, it does not require any concreting or subsequent step, and on the other hand the L shape of said module allows for balancing both vertical and horizontal forces, thereby achieving a total fixation of the soil in the area of action. Therefore, a complete solution is obtained which reduces the necessary materials, specialized labor and machinery, thus reducing cost and execution time.

The retaining module of the present invention is intended to be arranged on site, generally speaking, by means of a rotating type excavator, which allows for performing the three necessary tasks: previous excavation, preparation of the support platform, and piece arrangement in its final position as well as subsequent filling, thereby avoiding the need to employ an auxiliary crane.

The retaining module of the present invention is made in such a way that it is suitable for being used for the retention of soil in civil works, that is, it has de dimensions and strength required for retaining soils subject to several forces tending to deform them. Preferably, the module is made of prefabricated reinforced concrete, the quantity of steel of the reinforcement varying in connection with the magnitude of said forces and these, in turn, with the height of the soil supported by the pieces.

Although, as disclosed above, a preferred embodiment comprises reinforced concrete, it would also be possible to build the module of different materials depending on each specific use, such as for example plastic for making a construction game for the beach sand. Note that, in this case corresponding to semi-saturated sand, the friction requirement is lower due to the meniscus forces which hold the sand grains together, and therefore the support side may be smaller.

The module of the invention is essentially L-shaped having a long section and a short section forming a substantially right angle therebetween, the connection between them being reinforced by a bevel. Additionally, in order to increase the friction with the soil and to avoid sliding, the lower surface of the long section is rough. Preferable, the length of the long section is approximately 80% greater than the length of the short section.

Basically, the long section of this module (which is normally arranged in a horizontal position) allows for increasing the stability against vertical forces, distributing the load, and also for decreasing, therefore, the force acting on the soil. The short section (therefore arranged in a vertical position) also increases the horizontal stability and resists the horizontal forces thanks to the friction created by the lower surface of the module against the soil. In short, the module provides a complete fixing action in its zone of action.

The modules may be grouped in several ways: laterally side-by-side, one on top of the other for making a high wall, terraced for forming a embankment-like configuration, etc., depending of the type of solution intended for each problem. Optionally, several modules may be joined in different relative positions by means of a steel round bar penetrating with a certain play in orifices provided for that purpose in suitable zones of each piece, these pieces being thus assembled semi-rigidly for acting on soil which is always subject to certain deformations. This connection is employed whenever increasing the joint structural strength of the pieces or improving the finish thereof is required.

According to a preferred embodiment, the retaining module comprises orifices on its lateral sides for allowing for the connection of two adjoining modules using the cited round bars. Therefore, a straight wall where the modules are connected ones to the others is provided. Additionally, as disclosed below herein, curved walls may be built.

In another preferred embodiment, the retaining module comprises orifices located in the upper and lower zones of the short section for allowing for the connection of superimposed modules. This allows for the connection of a module provided on top of another module for building walls or stirrups.

In another preferred embodiment, the retaining module may comprise orifices in the front and back edges of the long section for allowing for the connection of two modules facing each other—for example, in elevated platforms without increasing the width—by means of steel round bars having a certain length and anchored to the orifices by means of resin.

Generally speaking, the module of the invention preferably comprises two putlogs located substantially in the center of the long section and in the center of the short section respectively, for preventing the destabilization effect arising from the underpressures infiltrated water may cause.

In all the above cases, and before the step of material filling for finishing the work, drainage geotextile sheets are provided at the joints between pieces and at the putlogs, in order to prevent the material from migrating.

On the other hand, a preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to a module having a long section with a thickness that decreases towards its free end. That is, the long section is “tapered”, thereby allowing for the installation of the module into the soil by means of jacking. This procedure allows for installing the modules in a fast and simple way, not requiring prior excavations which may cause, in the case of instability, the zone to collapse.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the width of the long section decreases or increases towards its free end. That is, the long section or base of the module adopts a trapezoidal shape. This feature allows for arranging several modules laterally side-by-side for forming a curved wall: if the end of the long section is wider, the center of curvature of this wall will be located on the other side of the wall with respect to the side where said long section is located; on the other hand, if the end of the long section is narrower, the center of curvature will be located on the same side where said long side is located. Optionally, each module may be joined to the adjoining module by means of the steel round bars disclosed above in order to provided such a curved wall with rigidity and stability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a y 1 b respectively show an upper and lower perspective view of the retaining module of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a first example of an application of the module of the invention for building a bridge.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an application of the module of the invention for building a green wall.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an application of the module of the invention for building a rock wall.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an application of the module of the invention for raising a road while maintaining its width.

FIG. 6 shows the use of the modules of the invention for correcting uppermost fill sliding.

FIG. 7 shows the use of the modules of the invention for correcting cut sliding.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an application of the module of the invention for channeling runoff waters with high load losses.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b represent the formation of a curved wall using the modules of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows the configuration of a module of the invention suitable for being placed using the jacking procedure.

FIG. 11 shows pieces suitable for forming corners in vertical walls.

FIGS. 12 a and 12 b show two views illustrating the use of the modules of the invention for raising waterways and therefore for protecting against floods.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention is now described making reference to the attached drawings. In particular, FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show respective views of the module (1) of the invention where the different component parts are shown, The long section (2) and the short section (3) are connected forming an approximately right angle provided with a bevel for securing the connection. The base (5) of the long section has a rough surface in order to increase the friction with the soil and thereby prevent the module of the invention from sliding.

Additionally, several optional orifices allowing for the connection of the module (1) with other modules (1) according to different configurations disclosed in detail below in the present document are shown. For example, orifices (6 a, 6 b, 6 c) located in the lateral edges of the module (1) allow for joining several adjoining modules (1) side-by-side, orifices (7 a, 7 b) located in the upper and lower edge of the short section (3) allow for the connection of several modules (1) superimposed ones on top of the others, and orifices (8 a, 8 b) located on the front and back edges of the long (2) section allow for the connection of several modules in two relative positions: one which forms a “shortened” T, and another forming a “channel” joined to the L-shaped piece (1). Additionally, a pair of putlogs (9 a, 9 b), each of which is located in the center of one of the sections (2, 3) allowing for draining water infiltrated in the soil, are shown. Although only these orifices are shown, it is understood that other orifices may be added depending on each specific configuration.

In the following, several practical examples of the use of the module (1) of the invention are described. FIG. 2 shows an example of a wall, for example for building a bridge or a trench. This example shows the superstructure (100) of a bridge supported on a volume of soil retained by means of four modules (1) according to the invention. The modules (1) are supported ones on the others and, although not specifically represented in this figure, they are connected by means of round steel bars introduced through orifices (7 a, 7 b) represented in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.

FIG. 3 represents an example showing the formation of a green wall suitable for gardening or the construction of a residential area using the module (1) of the invention. In this case, the modules (1) are arranged so as to form terraces, each of them holding a part of the total volume of soil. This construction allows for planting trees or other types of vegetation on the horizontal space provided between one module (1) and the next.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the construction of a rock wall suitable for channeling water or for protecting against erosion. The modules (1) are provided in a similar way as in FIG. 3, although in this case the horizontal space between one module (1) and the next is filled with rocks.

FIG. 5 shows an example where a road (101) is raised. Two rows of modules are used, the soil being trapped between them. Although not represented, it is understood that the modules are joined in the direction of the road (101) by means of round steel bars housed in orifices (7 a, 7 b). Additionally, each pair of opposite modules may be joined using round bars of a certain length fixed by resin inside orifices (8 a, 8 b), The road (101) is thus raised, for example directly over a previously existing road (101′), without having to increase the width of the road. Also, the draining capability of the road is improved.

FIG. 6 shows that the module (1) of the invention may be used for correcting fill sliding. In case sliding is detected, for example when cracks (102) appear near the road (101) either at the top or in the support, a number of modules may be arranged with the long section (2) facing the road (101) for supporting the soil.

FIG. 7 discloses the use of the module (1) of the invention for correcting cut sliding. In this case, the long section (2) is arranged on the opposite side to the road (101), the volume of soil forming the cut being suitably consolidated.

FIG. 7 shows a module (1) configuration according to the invention for channeling runoff water which creates dampening steps causing high load losses.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show how modules (1) of the invention having a trapezoidal long section (2) may be employed for building curved walls. In particular, FIG. 9 a shows a plan view of one of these modules (1) where the width of the long section (2) decreases towards its free end. Therefore, when building a wall made by a number of these modules (1) arranged side-by-side, a curved wall as in FIG. 9 b is obtained.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a module (1) according to the invention having a long section (2) with a thickness that decreases towards its free end. As discussed above, this allows for introducing the module (1) into the soil by means of the jacking procedure.

When a wall is built using these modules (1), it is sometimes required to use corner pieces formed by a module (1) having an additional section (10) perpendicular to the long section (2) and the short section (3), this section (10) providing the module (1) with a “trihedron” shape, as shown in FIG. 11.

Finally, FIGS. 12 a and 12 b disclose the possibility of rapidly forming a screen for preventing floods when certain rivers overflow. The modules (1) are in this case arranged side-by-side with the short side joints sealed by means of a watertight adhesive sheet (13) and with an additional weight (12) provided on its long side (2) for guaranteeing sliding stability even when an underpressure caused by water infiltrated under the base appears. In these figures, the level increase obtained by using the modules (1) of the invention is shown. Additionally, in the present application the modules (1) would be reusable. 

1. Containment module (1) for containing soil in civil work, characterized in being essentially L-shaped with a long section (2) and a short section (3) forming a substantially right angle where the connection is reinforced by a bevel (4), and where the base (5) of the long section (2) is rough for increasing the friction with the soil
 2. Containment module (1) according to claim 1, where the long section (2) is approximately 80% longer than the short section (3).
 3. Containment module (1) according to any of the previous claims, which is made of reinforced concrete.
 4. Containment module (1) according to any of the previous claims, which is made of a plastic material.
 5. Containment module (1) according to any of the previous claims, comprising orifices (6 a, 6 b, 6 c) located in the lateral edge of the module allowing for the connection of two adjoining (1) modules.
 6. Containment module (1) according to any of the previous claims, further comprising orifices (7 a, 7 b) located in the upper and lower part of the short section (3) allowing for the connection of two modules (1) superimposed.
 7. Containment module (1) according to any of the previous claims, further comprising orifices (8 a, 8 b) located in the front and back edges of the long section (2).
 8. Containment module (1) according to any of the previous claims , further comprising a putlog (9 a) located substantially in the center of the long section (2) and a putlog (9 b) located substantially in the center of the short section (3).
 9. Containment module (1) according to any of the previous claims, where the thickness of the long section (2) decreases towards its free end allowing for installing the module into the soil by the jacking procedure.
 10. Containment module (1) according to any of the previous claims, where the width of the long section (2) decreases or increases towards its free end in order to allow for the formation of a curved wall then several modules (1) are placed side-by-side.
 11. Containment module (1) according to any of the previous claims, further comprising an additional section (10) perpendicular to the long section (2) and the short section (3) which causes the module (1) to adopt a trihedral shape suitable for making corners or finishing walls. 